Beyoncé, Queen of the Grammy Awards
As always when one of her albums is in the running, Beyoncé stands out. She has the best chance of winning gramophones d’or this year. Named nine times, she thus reached 88 career citations, equaling the record held by her husband, Jay-Z. She is also the female artist with the most victories, 28. It would not be surprising to see her break a new record during the ceremony in February: it would be enough for her to win three of the nine trophies within her reach to become the most-awarded artist in Grammy history, across all genres. Beyoncé’s big draw this year is having come up with an album that qualifies in the dance/electro categories, the R&B categories, and those that encompass all genres. As in 2017, Beyoncé (with Renaissance) is in hot competition with Adele (nominated seven times for the record 30) in major categories. Harry Styles, cited six times, is the only other artist to be a finalist in the major categories of best album, best recording and best song.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin makes a grand harvest
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Yannick Nezet-Seguin
Just behind superstars Harry Styles, Future, DJ Khaled and Mary J. Blige, all six-time finalists, Quebec conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin is carving out a place among the artists most often nominated this year, with five chances to win a trophy. His name appears in the categories of Best Opera Recording (two citations), Best Opera Performance, Best Classical Collection and Best Classical Solo Vocal Album (as a pianist). Last year, the one who had already been nominated several times in the past won his very first gramophone, for the project Price – Symphonies nbone 1 and 3, crowned best orchestral performance of the year. “I am beyond grateful, without words, he wrote on social networks after the announcement on Tuesday. I’m motivated and encouraged to keep doing what I’m doing with all of my amazing colleagues. »
The other Quebec representatives
PHOTO FRANCESCA CEPERO, FROM ALLISON RUSSELL’S WEBSITE
Allison Russell
Quebec is doing very well this year in terms of Grammy nominations. Among the five Quebec artists cited is Montrealer Allison Russell. Nominated three times last year for her album OutsideChildthe singer-songwriter obtains this time two selections, for the best roots performance (with Aoife O’Donovan, for the song Prodigal Daughters) and Best Roots Song (with writers Tim O’Brien and Aoife O’Donovan, for the same song). Kaytranada, crowned twice in 2021, is again cited this year for the best dance / electro recording, for his song Intimidated (with the American HER). The Scrapbook WE, from Arcade Fire, is nominated in the category of best alternative album. Xavier Dolan, who directed the music video for the song Easy on Me of Adele, could win a gramophone for his work as a director and producer.
No surprises in the “big four”
PHOTO VALERIE MACON, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Harry Styles
No big surprise this year: all the major artists in the music industry have found a place in the main categories, the “big four”. Alongside Beyoncé, Adele and Harry Styles for recording of the year, we find ABBA, Mary J. Blige, Brandi Carlile (with Lucius), Steve Lacy, Kendrick Lamar and Lizzo. The list is very similar for album of the year, with Bad Bunny and Coldplay joining as contenders in place of Steve Lacy and Doja Cat. The Scrapbook A Verano Sin Ti by Bad Bunny thus becomes the first record entirely sung in Spanish to be cited in this category. For Song of the Year, Play As It Was of Harry Styles rubs Break My Soul by Beyoncé, Easy on Me from Adele, abcdefu by Gayle, All Too Well by Taylor Swift, bad habit by Steve Lacy God Did by DJ Khalid Just Like That by Bonnie Raitt and The Heart Part 5 by Kendrick Lamar. The prize for best new artist completes the “big four”: the British Wet Leg are expected to win.
Rap without women and country with Taylor Swift
PHOTO SASCHA SCHUERMANN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Taylor Swift
While the Grammys often give fans and pundits reason to cry foul, this year’s selections are making little fuss. Note, however, that all nominees for rap song and rap album of the year are men. Megan Thee Stallion or Nicki Minaj could have appeared in the list or in one of the other hip-hop categories. The country categories, unlike rap, make much more room for women, who represent at least half of the nominees. Another interesting fact: by re-recording her old albums, the “Taylor’s Versions”, Taylor Swift, nominated four times, is back among the country artists. The room I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) earned him a citation for Country Song of the Year.
The Grammy awards night will be held on February 5.